University City High students must be given the opportunity for the school to refund their money for the locks they purchased from the school, due to a recent School Board ruling.

According to Principal Jeff Olivero, under the “Free Education” policy, UC High cannot require students to have locks to protect their belongings in the P.E. locker room. As a result, UC High must change its policy and give students the chance to get their money back.

“We thought it was common sense that if you put your belongings in a basket, you would want to lock it,” said Olivero. The purpose of the locks is not to charge students, who participate in PE, but to prevent theft and protect their belongings.

The money to refund these locks will come from the instructional supply fund, according to Olivero. This fund is used to purchase supplies, paper, and science labs for the school. Each lock cost five dollars, if purchased from the school. However, so far, no students have come forward to be refunded for their locks. Olivero predicts that only five of the potential 700 students who can be refunded for their locks will come forward.

“They should tell us about the ruling. I had no idea,” said Freshman Morgan Baumeister. “But I wouldn’t have the money refunded because it’s coming out of the school’s fund. We [UC] need the money and I don’t want to damage the amount of supplies.”

“I don’t know why the school has to sell locks,” said Sophomore Nicolas Ochoa. “It’s not really an issue for me; I already have an old lock. Most kids just use their old locks or buy them from the store because they’re cheaper there.”